How To Set up VPN Connections in Windows XP

These instructions explain how to set up a VPN connection in Windows XP. These VPN connections allow Windows XP clients to connect to a VPN remote access server. Microsoft VPN uses the PPTP and LT2P network protocols:

Here's How:

    Open the Windows Control Panel.

    Open the Network Connections item in Control Panel. A list of existing dial-up and LAN connections will appear.

    Choose the 'Create a new connection' item from the left-hand side of the window. The Windows XP New Connection Wizard will appear on the screen.

    First click Next to begin the wizard, then choose the 'Connect to the network at my workplace' item from the list and click Next.

    On the Network Connection page of the wizard, choose the 'Virtual Private Network connection' option and click Next.

    Enter a name for the new VPN connection in the 'Company Name' field and click Next. The name chosen need not match the name of an actual business.

    Choose an option on the 'Public Network' screen and click Next. The default option, 'Automatically dial this initial connection' can be used if the VPN connection will always be initiated when the computer is not already connected to the Internet. Otherwise, choose the 'Do not dial the initial connection' option. This option requires that the public Internet connection be established first, before this new VPN connection will be initiated.

    Enter the name or IP address of the VPN remote access server to connect to, and click Next. Company network administrators will provide this information.

    Choose an option on the "Connection Availability" screen and click Next. The default option, 'My Use Only,' ensures that Windows will make this new connection available only to the currently logged on user. Otherwise, choose the 'Anyone's use' option.

    Click Finish to complete the wizard. The new VPN connection information has been saved.

Tips:

    While no practical limits exist on what may be entered in the 'Company Name' field, choose a connection name that will be easy to recognize later.

    Take special care to key the VPN server name/IP address data correctly. The Windows XP wizard does not automatically validate this server information.

What You Need

    Computer running Microsoft Windows XP

    Host name and/or IP address of a VPN remote access server